Bengal's institutions bat for greener future on World Environment Day

Kolkata: World Environment Day was observed by various institutions and organisations across the state on Wednesday.

Eastern Railway (ER) organised a number of activities on the occasion throughout its zone, including an awareness campaign, a tree plantation drive, seminars etc. for reducing environmental pollution and fulfilling the commitment of Eastern Railway towards environmental sustainability.

S S Gehlot, additional general manager, Eastern Railway, planted saplings at ER's Sports Academy compound in Majerhat, where many other ER officials also participated in the tree plantation drive.

Awareness campaign and tree plantation programmes were also organised at different places by the Howrah and Sealdah divisions, as well as in three workshops at Jamalpur, Kanchrapara and Liluah.

In ER's Asansol division, a rally was organised from the DRM's office building to Asansol station to create awareness among the people and commuters towards the protection of environment. Public Awareness campaign, shramadan for cleaning, technical seminar on combating air pollution and a tree plantation programme were organised by the officers and staff members at Malda division.

The ER also made its pledge towards a green environment through its sustained and ongoing activities which include maintenance and beautification of gardens inside workshops and at various railway stations.

An emphasis has been given on the use of solar energy, rain water harvesting, creation of green zones inside workshops, provision of waste converter and water recycling plants, provision of bio-toilets in train coaches and afforestation.

Meanwhile, the Kolkata Port in association with PUBLIC (People United for Better Living in Calcutta) took up an 'Urban Forestry Drive'. An area of about 1,700 sq. metres at Dhobitalao is being developed as a mini forest. Vinit Kumar, chairman, Kolkata Port Trust, inaugurated a plantation programme.

It has been learnt that the barren area is now being used for storing empty containers. KoPT expects that pollution levels will go down and birds will find resting place in the forest, which will be set up being surrounded by a waterbody.

Another area of around 2,000 sq. metres in Taratala Labour Colony will also be developed as a landscaped forest. State Bank of India has joined hands with KoPT this year by taking up tree plantation at Millennium Park as a part of its year-long plantation programme.

Kolkata Port has also provided land to a fishermen's cooperative for maintenance of 10 large waterbodies with surrounding lush green vegetation and trees where migratory birds flock in winter.

Kaushik Bhattacharjee, airport director, Kolkata Airport and other senior officials from AAI and airlines presented saplings to the passengers arriving at Kolkata Airport on the occasion.

Medical Bank also organised an awareness event against the use of plastic. Free bags made of clothes were distributed among the people by the organisation.